A few weeks ago when lamenting the loss of places and buildings with character, we published a long-running rumor that Sadlack’s would be lost as a part of the Bell Tower redevelopment project that NC State has been soliciting bids for. Unfortunately, it looks like the rumors were true.

The hotel would include ground floor retail and a restaurant. The project would occupy the stretch of Hillsborough between Enterprise Street and Maiden Lane, replacing both Sadlack’s Heroes and a retail center that is home to Schoolkids Records.

Sadlack’s, which has been around for more than 30 years, was renovated just five years ago.

The redevelopment of Hillsborough Street has gone too far. The loss of this 30+ year institution signifies a major loss for the character of this axial street.

It’s unknown if there are relocation plans, but I will update this post with further developments.

UPDATE

I received an email from a reader disputing the News & Observer account of the development project. This person talked to heard secondhand information about the owner (Rose) and had this to say:

Just for the record, went to Sadlack’s for lunch, Rose has no idea what they are talking about…

Someone should talk to her and not just reprint the N&O stuff.

Does this mean Sadlack’s will continue as a tiny corner sandwich joint next to a towering hotel taking up the entire remaining block? I’m optimistic, but have a hard time believing this will happen.

52 Comments:

Stephanie08/24/2011

God%$#&*&! This is a stupid idea! I hope they lose their asses on this! AND the, equally as stupid, mondo-condo idea on the corner of Cameron Village…uh, hello traffic hell? Sure amd glad this is my son’s last year at Broughton.

Stephanie08/24/2011

Goodnight Raleigh indeed! sigh.

Andy08/24/2011

Y that’s crap. There are many other places that could host that development. Start by renovating the Velvet Cloak?

Michael08/24/2011

What a pile of shit. Sadlack’s is a great space for after-work and after-class beers and grub. I’m sure students are overjoyed at the idea of a hotel with a restaurant will be taking its place. And Schoolkids records. Great. Let’s force closure of one of the last remaining record stores in the city. Utter bullshit. Not cool, NCSU… not cool.

Maria08/24/2011

This is not a happy day – I can’t believe that NCSU is trying to change the neighborhood. Wait, I can believe it – they want to distroy the everything that makes that area funky.

A08/24/2011

Noooo……….

Dan L08/24/2011

More and more, this city is losing its native REAL CHARACTER to the sterile, shiny face of Northern developers. I hope those who get excited every time Raleigh shows up on some new “Best Places” list, causing throngs of Yankees to flock here like locusts, are happy with “New Raleigh”.

chris08/24/2011

i agree with all the above comments. schoolkids has had to move around a few times already and i hope they can survive. but sadlack’s is a fixture. not only a great place to hang out and have a sandwich and a beer but some incredible musical acts have come through that place, and many of them cut their teeth there. i have played and seen some of the best shows of my life there. ncsu doesn’t know what a cultural institution they will be destroying. it’s places like sadlack’s that make university communities vital and interesting.

Michael08/24/2011

I’m assuming that this is all set in stone at this point… too late for some letter-writing campaign. This just pains me. Ridiculous to think that some craptastic hotel and restaurant would better suit the university community than this truly unique place to hang out and get with fellow members of the State community and others in the area… bah!

Kelly Kathleen Ferguson08/24/2011

Gee, wonder why everyone is moving to Durham? Because Durham has realized that a downtown with character and local businessness is vital to a city.

Michael08/24/2011

@Kelly – I don’t think downtown proper is having these kinds of identity issues. In fact, downtown is realizing great usage of its old buildings, which is great! Head out of downtown, and that’s where problems really are – especially along Hillsborough. Thank you, NCSU.

Michael08/24/2011

Oh, and *I* have no intentions of moving to Durham, thankyouverymuch! ;)

Foodtogo08/24/2011

On top of destroying the culture of the area and forcing businesses that have shown they could survive the worst of times, where exactly is NCSU getting this money besides bids? Maybe they should take a look at the utter failure of UNC’s highrise experiment. To be fair, UNC’s highrise went up in a place that was a slum anyways and well the new one is going into a much needed parking space. All it does is invite a place for the homeless to congregate and accost patrons coming in and out of the establishment. Yes it will create more traffic hell even after the construction forces people onto a one lane road. Couldn’t NC State use their time and talent filter money into something worth the while of the University.. I don’t know like keeping staff and faculty on board? Making sure that buildings on campus are not in need of repair. I hope the restaurant isn’t something that is a national chain.. that would just be a disgrace.

Hugh08/24/2011

I have been coming to Sadlack’s since the late 80’s.
As has already been said, it is beyond description.
There is absolutely no pretense. It is what it is.
The people who frequent it are as genuine as the institution itself.
The loss of Sadlack’s pains my heart greatly.

Thanks Michael. I hope your hotel goes under like the Titanic!!!
We Love You Rose.

Matthew Brown08/24/2011

And just across Enterprise St. from Sadlack’s is a former hotel that NCSU bought and turned into a dorm. And just down the street is the Velvet Cloak, a failed hotel that is trying to sell its rooms as condos.

Matthew Brown08/24/2011

NCSU’s Ralph Recchie says he wants to build a “destination for the greater community.” But that’s exactly what Sadlack’s is right now!

Matthew Brown08/24/2011

What do the world’s great cities have that we don’t have? SOUL. HISTORY. CHARACTER. Well, we have a tiny bit. So should we not try to preserve that tiny bit?

Dustin08/24/2011

Yes! Excellent idea! Tear out more soul of Raleigh’s culture. I’m sick of hearing about great places being ripped out for “bigger and better” projects… Use your head NCSU, surely there are better sites on Hillsborough that would better suit this “need”. Whatever happened to choosing sites that are in desperate need of repair? They must not be consulting the Design School on this matter, they would be outraged to hear such proposals being made!!! NCSU has a fully operational Architecture School at their disposal and they don’t even consult them!!! Mind boggling, simply mind boggling! Wake up!!

Protest people!

Eric B08/24/2011

Although I have concerns about how the hotel will fare, based on the historical success of such establishments on Hillsborough St. I see this as “progress.” Sadlack’s, which I can appreciate for what it is and was, as a current student I can say maybe 10% current students would even know where/what Sadlack’s is, let alone have eaten there. Schoolkids and Bell Tower Mart are the only places on this strip that are within the consciousness of current students, and hopefully Schoolkids can once again find a new location on the street, and hopefully a less crappy version of Bell Tower Mart can find a home as well. I think the key to the success of Hillsborough is getting people anchored there, which Valentine Commons and this hotel will help do.

RaleighRob08/24/2011

For those who mentioned letter-writing, I’ll be sure to do my part and send one myself.
I will also mention in bold print that I am an alumnus and if they follow through with this plan, I will never ever donate another cent to the university, nor support it in any way (going to games, buying tshirts, etc.) ever again. I will copy this letter to the chancellor and the board of trustees.
The only way to get their attention will be hitting them where it hurts…their wallets.

Victoria08/24/2011

This is not revitalization. It is corporate greed.
Sadlacks has stood the test of time. The food is good. The company fine. It is a little world unto it’s self. Where else can you listen to free local music in the company of friends??? Losing this Raleigh institution makes Hillsbough Street a much less likely destination. And a much less friendly place.

Scott Z08/24/2011

Just for the record, went to Sadlack’s for lunch, Rose has no idea what they are talking about… Ray G talked to her before I got there and she is in the dark about…

Tori08/24/2011

Although not a native I have lived in Raleigh and the surrounding area for twelve years and call this place my home. I have met sone of the most wonderful people at Sadlack’s and discovered local musicians, philosophers, poets,journalists, and artists that are beyond talented.

It is truly shameful that Raleigh continues to become the beige and watered down destination that so very few of it’s citizens actually think of when they think of Raleigh. The very thing that makes this city unique and genuine continue to be bulldozed in the name of progress.

Record stores, local hang outs, music venues, all destroyed to pit a shiny face on something that was already beautiful. All to put shiny coin in the fat cat pockets.

One more thing WWPD?

matt08/24/2011

Eric B, while I liked your work with Rakim back in the day, I must disagree with you. Some things are just not about the students. Sadlacks cuts across all generations and pay scales, and has lasted a lot longer than the students will!

NCSU08/24/2011

I’ve never been to Sadlacks.

But it’s always been there. And things that have “always been there” are comforting to me.

Once again, Raleigh continues down its slippery slope to losing what made it appealing to people in the first place.

I’m hearing a new Wal-Mart might be going on Union Square in the next couple of years. They need to get rid of that old Neo-Classical monstrosity that just takes up space. Anyone else heard those rumors? ;)

Karen Ciccone08/24/2011

I am so disappointed and depressed to hear this. Sadlack’s is one of the few cool and interesting places one can point to on Hillsborough St. It has character and history. How shortsighted and out-of-touch can NC State be?

Anne McCarthy08/24/2011

Sadlacks is a special place “where everyone knows your name.” What a shame if we lose it.

Brian08/24/2011

Wow, I can’t believe this! Back when I was at State in the late 70’s, Sadlack’s Heros was the place. Although I haven’t been recently, I can’t image that its changed that much as a popular student hang out in the last 30 years.

I wonder if State is thinking about buying the new hotel CHEAPLY for a dorm WHEN IT FAILS, like it did the old John Yancey/Lemon Tree (North Hall) Inn.

Dan L08/24/2011

Eric B, your mistake is presuming that Sadlack’s is predominately a “student hangout”. Sure, students go there, but the core crowd of Sadlack’s are much older and have been keeping that place, and that corner of the city, going for literally decades. Not everything on Hillsborough St is “for the students” :)

And anyway, how do you presume a HOTEL is going to better serve the student body? How often do students stay in hotels, especially flashy new expensive ones?

Vincent08/24/2011

I’ve grown up in Raleigh my entire life. I live not too far from the Belltower area, and I used to love to spend my time walking around the Belltower, the Brickyard, Schoolkids, and Sadlack’s. I saw some of my first shows at the Brewery as well, and when that place got demolished I was devastated. The Brewery went down without a fight, and I believe that Sadlack’s deserves to be fought for. We should take initiative and write the NCSU board, city planners, or whomever else is involved. And if the comes where bulldozers pull up to Sadlack’s door I’ll be there chained to it.

Eric B08/24/2011

I’m not saying a hotel would thill the students much but it would (hopefully) guarantee around 200 people would be on Hillsborough St. each night looking for somewhere to eat or relax. Sadlack’s is a hoppin’ place whenever I walk by and I hope it can find a new home along with the other stores there, but having visitors each night on the street certainly won’t hurt. I will be a bit disappointed if the hotel opens as a chain, but something like the “The State Hotel” or something could be pretty neat.

Banks Talley08/24/2011

Eric B:

Educate yourself. If only “10% of the current students know what/where Sadlack’s is” then they aren’t very observant or they just don’t spend much time on or around Hillsborough Street. Most of them, as has been the trend lately, probably drive to campus, attend classes and then leave. You certainly don’t seem to know much about the history of the place, which probably allows you to not care about any of the venerable establishments on the street.

Why not just demolish Mitch’s, the PR, Char-Grill, Jade Garden, Western Lanes (now The Alley), the Color Wall, Loco Pops, Waffle House and all the other places that have some character? Just destroy all the places that mean something to people that went to NCSU or grew up in/live in/lived in Raleigh and see what you are left with in the end. Rite Aid, Hotels and Applebee’s do not exactly inspire great memories or folklore. Yes, let’s make Hillsborough Street into Homogenous Street! Let’s have a new GAP, another Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, another Starbuck’s, hell another Rite Aid and all the other chain retail bullshit that is overtaking my hometown.

See this development stuff for what it really is: a chance for a few rich people to get richer and a chance to rid Hillsborough Street of people that “certain other people” consider the “wrong element” who happen to hang out across the street from NCSU. It’s social engineering in a way. Remove the old hangouts (which make the street funky, edgy and fun) and replace them with shiny new green glass covered archi-turds and call it “revitalization.” It’s happening all over the country but college towns especially need places like The Brewery and Sadlack’s.

Students and Faculty actually eat and drink there on a regular basis. I am sorry that you have not experienced this, as it might mean something to you now.

G08/25/2011

You could always put Sadlack’s in the new building. It would not have the same retro charm, but it would survive another 30 years, all other things held equal.

Bill M08/25/2011

G, people in the USA don’t riot anymore but times like these make me wish they did. Since that won’t happen, I encourage all the Sadlack’s customers to hang out at this new hotel, all the time. Make it your new hangout. Add your graffiti to the bathroom walls and be disgraceful.

Banks Talley08/25/2011

That’s the problem, there is no civil disobedience anymore.

crinklecut08/25/2011

Sadlack’s can always find a new site and be just as successful and fun as it is today. I didn’t see this type of outpouring when they gut rehabbed the place a few years back. So maybe it’s not the building/location that makes it great – it’s the people and the vibe!
I hope that they can find a new home that keeps the great sad’s tradition alive and well. Change is hard…but without it you die.

Curt08/25/2011

It would be interesting to see a list of businesses outside of Raleigh’s downtown core that have likewise lasted 30 years.

If there’s anything that Goodnight Raleigh has shown through its terrific posts on local history, it’s that commercial buildings are transformed more than any other kind. They are more likely to be thoroughly renovated or demolished than schools and other public buildings, which are more likely than private homes, which are more likely than houses of worship.

I agree with crinklecut above. I don’t wish a business move on anyone, but commercial properties evolve. One of Jane Jacobs’ four indispensible conditions for successful city districts is a mingling of “buildings that vary in age and condition, including a good proportion of old ones so that they vary in the economic yield they must produce.”

In the current credit-starved economy, we are not in danger of losing every older commercial structure in the NC State area — the Staudt Bakery and Brewery sites notwithstanding. Surely our energy would be better devoted to brainstorming about where we’d be happy to find Sadlack’s in the future, instead of pretending it operates in a more stable type of architecture.

Banks Talley08/25/2011

I’m sorry but Sadlack’s IS Sadlack’s because of where it is and what is is (or perhaps what it isn’t in this case….It was just an old hut with a corrugated roof for many years). It is simple and it is cozy to some people.

A new Sadlack’s on the ground floor of a shiny new, glass covered building would not be the same. CBGB is not CBGB anymore. You can even remove the filthy toilets from the Bowery in NY and ship them to Vegas but the new venue is still not CBGB. The Ramones, Blondie, Talking Heads, Television and the NY Dolls have not played there either. The new Yankee Stadium (while shiny and clean and new) is still NOT the place that Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio played and it never will be. If you tear down Mitch’s and re-open it somewhere else, it will never be the place that Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon filmed a key scene in Bull Durham. These things mean something to people!

Clearly, you miss the point that there are some wealthy developers out there who would gladly bulldoze all the old buildings on Hillsborough Street for a “hit and run” type investment. They don’t give a rat about character, tradition, longevity, etc.

JR08/26/2011

This will be a loss if true, and I have no reason to think it won’t be true. Putting Sadlacks into a different, newer space on the block….it won’t be the same.

That goodness Player’s Retreat has survived the renovation of Hillsborough. I think it is busier than it ever has been, at least compared to the past several years.

Speaking of places on Hillsborough that are gone, Crazy Zacks was where the Burger King was, loved that place. And “My Apartment”, which was a topless bar. The space is still there; it was on the block where the bowling alley and Melvins are.

Frank Tien08/27/2011

Nothing is going to go smoothly since NC State hasn’t firmed up if they’re selling the property to the developer or renting them the land. Seeing how NC State is screwing Sadlacks over their 8 years remaining on the lease, why would any developer trust the college to honor their agreement?

maybe a decade down the road NC State will want to turn the hotel into another dorm – like they’ve done to three other hotels.

Jacobs08/27/2011

I live in Raleigh and grew up here…42 years of unique and colorful places that I see dying in the face of new and modern “upgrades” that on the end spill make my hometown devoid of color and warmth. Raleigh is on it’s way to becoming Oklahoma City or Des Moines or Indianapolis…places I don’t want to be.

And a shout-out to Banks Talley for his posts…excellent words, my man…keep shouting!!

Jacobs08/27/2011

Hard to post using a Droid…meant to say “upgrades that in the end will”.

Jacobs08/27/2011

God forbid we become Charlotte…

Banks Talley08/30/2011

Thanks to Jacobs fpr the support! I am a Raleigh native (and we are a dying breed). I will keep shouting!

Andrew11/12/2011

Just an observation, but it seems a lot of people (at least any of the people i know) would rather go to PR or Mitch’s for an after class beer or lunch meal rather than to drink a few or eat lunch next to a bunch of people that don’t look like they wear deodorant.

Michael11/12/2011

@Andrew uhh… What do people who look like they don’t wear deodorant have to do with anything??? Frankly, Sadlacks has plenty of such folk – part of what makes it awesome. Curiously, however, you seem to state that you like Sadlack’s… Just curious as to your point…

John Hill01/18/2012

Hi guys & girls. I think it would be a shame if Sadlack’s is lost. If that happens, I won’t be able to get one of “my” sandwiches the next time I’m in Raleigh. BTW, my name is John Hill. If you’re a regular at Sadlack’s, you probably know my name & my sandwich. I worked at Sadlack’s in the mid-70s, and invented a sandwich one day. Frank (as in Dr. Frank) told me he didn’t think people would buy it, because it had a double portion of meat on it (pricey for those days). But, he said he’d try selling it, with some table tent like signs, etc., before it actually made it to the real menu. Anyhow, he named it after me (the culinary papa), and at the time, it became the 2nd most popular sandwich at Sadlack’s–next to the Dr. Frank’s Special. That’s the story. Now all I need is a nickel per sandwich for all those years…lol! The last time I was in Raleigh, which has been quite a few years ago now, I stopped at Sadlack’s, told my story to the waitress, showed her my I.D.–and she gave me a free John Hill’s Delight. That was really nice of her! Keep Sadlack’s alive! Keep my sandwich going too!! Let’s start a media campaign. I live in Charlottesville, VA now. Tell Charlie Rose and Ted Koppel that late evenings are the best time to reach me…lol. Cheers!

Jordan02/28/2012

I went to Sadlack’s for the first time today. Pretty good food, but I wasn’t especially blown away. It seemed kind of dive-y without the things I usually admire about dives. I think its function as a local music venue gives it value, but it’s by no means a “student hangout,” at least not in 2012. Mostly older crowds. Part of the reason I haven’t been before today is that, as one commenter noted, a lot of the customers look like they don’t use deodorant. They’re a little scraggly and scary. The first time I went, shortly after entering I was scared off by how rowdy some of the customers were. And I would very much agree that many of the students (most?) have never even been there. Today was the first time my boyfriend (who lives RIGHT next door) had gone too. If you mention Sadlack’s to most students, they’d probably have to stop and think a moment before knowing which place you were talking about. From what I’ve heard, Mitch’s is definitely more the place students go when they want to drink after class.

As a student, I’d just as well let it be since I don’t particularly feel that there’s a pressing need for a hotel there. I guess it’s cool that there’s history to the place (the story above my comment is very neat), but honestly that history doesn’t hold any special value for me. I suspect most current students feel likewise. I don’t want it to be removed for something dumb and unnecessary like a hotel, but if Sadlack’s were replaced by somewhere I could actually see myself going, I’d be pleased with it.

mike04/18/2012

Who cares?
I would rather have some place I would like to go then keep a place around because it’s old.
Everybody’s cool with building those yuppy condos, where are the people going to eat? Not some dirty place with “chatacter”.
Besides most of the people complaining admit they don’t eat there. Just more backwards country folk who don’t like “shiny” things.

Reality Finality04/28/2012

Hey, mike, Sadlacks is actually pretty clean inside and the food is outstanding, sounds like you have not been there. I have only recently started eating there. The people that eat there are actually pretty yuppie and the decor has a sort of shinny nature to it, again another exemplificatiin of you ignorance and size of the superior urban hayseed brain you are showg us.

Maria03/02/2013

Durham developers are doing a great job of preserving history while redeveloping. Raleigh needs to take notes.

Dondon09/07/2014

Can’t say I care or don’t care the place closed. Went there a few times and thought it was a bore. Most of the regulars were really full of themselves and had a notion of “cool” that was stuck in a rut. If you didn’t fit within their narrow notions of that cool, you were shunned or got the silent treatment.

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